I have read some discussions on this board debating the merits of the EBMM Stingray's 4H pickup configuration (classic Stingray sound) vs. 4HH (more tonal variety). I'd like to kick the tires on that discussion and also introduce the 4HS option. In particular, I'd love to hear feedback from any of you who have already compared these configurations head-to-head. What did you like (or not like)? I've got some money burning a hole in my pocket...and it has "new Stingray" written all over it! I've played 4H and 4HH before, but this 4HS is a new wrinkle.
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Stingray Pickup Configuration: 4H vs. 4HH vs. 4HS
- Thread starter Joelemite
- Start date
I have no input to this conversation but did want to mention that Joelemite just may be the best username ever.
The H version gives you the classic MM tone. The HH gives you the bridge or neck pickups wired in series,as opposed to the traditional parallel,you also have the choice of all 4 coils,the 2 outer coils,or 2 inner coils. I had a Sterling 4 HH and really liked it,but I prefered the sound of the traditional Music Man parallel tone. The HS is almost identical with the exception of having a single coil for the neck pickup. All 3 configuration are great,I just prefered the single H,others love the added tones of the HH or HS.
I own a single H, and am looking into an HH for the versatility. I really liked the HH that I played, I felt I got a lot of cool tones out of the different combos of which coils & all that jazz. Haven't played the HS models though, so I can't say anything there.
so having an hh will not give u the tone of a single H because its wired differently?like the sterling basically?
That should be an easy mod to get access to parallel...all you should need to do is swap in a push/pull pot, and solder appropriately.
Series has a bit more of a low mid bump,where parallel is a bit more scooped out. Both work fine,just depends on your preference.
- Oct 24, 2009
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i like the singles over the double humbuckers. i like the quick punchiness and loudness i got from my single. when i was trying out the doubles i was struggling to get the right tone and didnt find it.
This is not true, on a Stingray the HH pickups are wired in parallel like the H or HS.
The Sterling HH and HS has the pickups in series (and of course the H has the series/parallel/single switch)
Spot on - Stingrays are all parallel in any pickup configuration.
I've had all 3 and the HH is my fave by far. The single H is great but both the HS and HH have that tone when you push the switch back towards the bridge. I found the HS to have some output imbalance and some of the switch positions are a bit thinner sounding than others. The HH sounds great in every switch position to me, my fave is #4 which is the inner coils. Sounds like a cross between a Stingray and a Jazz.
You're right,I forgot about that. They kept the Stingray parallell. I stand corrected!!
I have two HH Stingrays. I've compared them (bridge pup only) to similar (3- band, newish) H stingrays. And couldn't tell any difference.
Way I see it. Get the H sound, plus 4 others.
(Granted, the 2-band EQ will have different sounds, but I play flat on the bass the vast majority of the time).
Way I see it. Get the H sound, plus 4 others.
(Granted, the 2-band EQ will have different sounds, but I play flat on the bass the vast majority of the time).
Leave it to a Scotsman for the final word! (BTW, I think Edinburgh is the coolest city in the world)
Thanks to all of you for your feedback. Obviously the first rule is "go with what sounds best to my own ears," but I like hearing the different perspectives. I have to admit that the allure of the H sound...plus a few others...is compelling.
Thanks to all of you for your feedback. Obviously the first rule is "go with what sounds best to my own ears," but I like hearing the different perspectives. I have to admit that the allure of the H sound...plus a few others...is compelling.
Did you ever do this with a EBMM?
If yes can you describe what you did step by step please?
I would love to get an aditional series setting for my Stingrays, but a lot of the electronics seems to be hardwired.
I do try
I'd disagree with that tho, would much rather live in Glasgow. Edinburgh is too damned expensive and it's always full of tourists
I don't know the colour coding of the stingray pup, but as long as there are 4 cables (plus the regular ground) then it's a pretty simple mod.
I have a Stingray S.U.B. 5H with a 2 band eq.
I have no other significant experience with any EBMM basses, nor do I expect it to sound a certain way, or even fully understand what "the tone" is supposed to sound like from a Stingray. So, with that in mind, from a completely unbiased standpoint, from my experience playing my bass I can tell you that I miss having a pickup in the neck/middle position. It seems to be missing a bit of oomph that no amount of eq'ing or amp settings seems to be able to add properly.
HOWEVER! As 1000 people have said 1000 times before, your best bet is to try them all and see for yourself.
EDIT: If I were to buy another Stingray, I would go for a HS. Seems to me this would be the way to go to achieve the sound I prefer, plus I think it looks better than the HH.
I have no other significant experience with any EBMM basses, nor do I expect it to sound a certain way, or even fully understand what "the tone" is supposed to sound like from a Stingray. So, with that in mind, from a completely unbiased standpoint, from my experience playing my bass I can tell you that I miss having a pickup in the neck/middle position. It seems to be missing a bit of oomph that no amount of eq'ing or amp settings seems to be able to add properly.
HOWEVER! As 1000 people have said 1000 times before, your best bet is to try them all and see for yourself.
EDIT: If I were to buy another Stingray, I would go for a HS. Seems to me this would be the way to go to achieve the sound I prefer, plus I think it looks better than the HH.
